Tubular protective sleeve

ABSTRACT

Method for the manufacture of tubular protective sleeves, comprising the steps of providing a warp knitted tissue of filaments of three components using a Raschel type loom; and shaping the tissue so that the longitudinal edges of the tissue converge towards one another and overlap, thus defining a tubular shape, the first component comprising monofilaments and/or multifilaments of a first polymer, the third component comprising an electrical conductive material, said components being distributed throughout the thickness of the tissue such that the first is present throughout the thickness, the second throughout the thickness in respect to a median plane of the tissue, the third component extends from one side of the tissue to the interior of the tissue without reaching the opposite side, the minimum weight percentages being 7% for the first, 10% for the second, 40% for the third.

The present invention relates to a method of providing a tubular protective sleeve and a sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known are in the art the tubular protective sleeves, made of a warp knitted fabric with filaments of three different components the first component comprising monofilaments and/or multifilaments of a first polymer, the third component comprising an electrical conductive material.

In the European Patent Application 11382361, form the same applicant, a sleeve with these features is disclosed.

However, it is a conductive wire between surfaces and if it is desired this cable to be isolating, it is necessary to add another insulating sleeve, with the cost, volume, and additional weight it involves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the present invention proposes a method for the manufacture of tubular protective sleeves, comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a warp knitted fabric made of three filaments         components using a Raschel type loom; and     -   shaping the tissue so that the longitudinal edges of the tissue         converge towards one another and overlap with each other, thus         defining a tubular shape;     -   the first component comprising monofilaments and/or         multifilaments of a first polymer;     -   the third component comprising an electrical conductive         material;     -   said components being distributed throughout the thickness of         the tissue such that:         -   the first polymer component is present throughout the             thickness;         -   the second component has a symmetrical or asymmetrical             distribution throughout the thickness in respect to a median             plane of the tissue;         -   the third component extends from one side of the tissue to             the interior of the tissue without reaching the opposite             side;     -   the minimum weight percentages being as follows:         -   7% for the first component;         -   10% for the second component;         -   40% for the third component;

With these features, an insulating sleeve of reduced weight and volume is obtained, which serves as shielding and which is electrically conductive in the longitudinal direction. Notably, the conductive portion may remain on one the sides or inside.

The first component groups and binds the other components, the second has insulating functions, and the third conducts electricity.

According to various optional features, in the process of the invention:

-   -   either the components are different, or either the first and         second components are made of the same material.     -   the second component are multifilaments of a second polymer.     -   the first polymer is selected among polyphenylene sulfide,         polyester, polyamide, PEEK, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.     -   the second polymer is selected among polyester, polyamide, pps,         PEEK, Meta-aramid, Para-aramid, Viscose, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.     -   the electrical conductive material is selected among copper,         tinned copper, nickel copper, aluminum and stainless steel.     -   the strips of the edges having a longitudinal direction does not         comprise third component.

The invention also relates to a tubular protective sleeve, composed of a warp knitted fabric with filaments of three different components,

-   -   the first component comprising monofilaments and/or         multifilaments of a first polymer;     -   the third component comprising an electrical conductive         material;         which is characterized in that the first, second and third         components are distributed throughout the thickness of the         tissue such that:         -   the first polymer component is present throughout the             thickness;         -   the second component has a symmetrical or asymmetrical             distribution throughout the thickness in respect to a median             plane of the tissue;         -   the third component extends from one side of the tissue to             the interior of the tissue without reaching the opposite             side;     -   the minimum weight percentages being as follows:         -   7% for the first component;         -   10% for the second component;         -   40% for the third component;

According to various optional features, in the inventive sleeve:

-   -   the components are different or wherein the first and second         components are made of the same material.     -   the second component are multifilaments of a second polymer.     -   the first polymer is selected among polyphenylene sulfide,         polyester, polyamide, PEEK, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.     -   the second polymer is selected among polyester, polyamide, pps,         PEEK, Meta-aramid, Para-aramid, Viscose, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.     -   the electrical conductive material is selected among copper,         tinned copper, nickel copper, aluminum and stainless steel.     -   the strips of the edges having a longitudinal direction does not         comprise third component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of what has been disclosed some drawings are attached in which, schematically and solely by way of non-limiting example, a practical case of embodiment is represented.

FIGS. 1 to 8 show schematics of eight tissue embodiments according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of tubular protective sleeves, comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a warp knitted tissue T of filaments of three         components 1, 2 3 using a Raschel type loom; and     -   shaping the tissue T so that the longitudinal edges of the         tissue converge towards one another and overlap, thus defining a         tubular shape;     -   the first component comprising 1 monofilaments and/or         multifilaments of a first polymer;     -   the third component comprising 3 an electrical conductive         material;     -   said components being distributed 1, 2 and 3 throughout the         thickness of the tissue T such that:         -   the first component 1 of polymer is present throughout the             thickness;         -   the second component 2 has a symmetrical or asymmetrical             distribution throughout the thickness in respect to a median             plane of the tissue;         -   the third component 3 extends from one side of the tissue T             to the interior of the tissue T without reaching the             opposite side;     -   the minimum weight percentages being as follows:         -   7% for the first component 1;         -   10% for the second component 2;         -   40% for the third component 3;

Ranges of Materials

-   The title of the plastic fibres of monofilament are comprised     between 0.10 mm and 0.50 mm. -   The title of the plastic fibres of multifilament are comprised     between 86 dTex and 2200 dTex. -   The title of the metallic fibres of monofilament are comprised     between 0.05 mm and 0.30 mm. -   The title of the metallic fibres of multifilament are comprised     between 10 dTex and 10000 dTex. -   The dimensions of the metallic sheets are: thickness comprised     between 0.05 mm and 0.50 mm and width comprised between 0.50 mm and     5 mm. -   The title of the aramid fibres are comprised between 10 dTex and     5000 dTex.

Embodiments Table

In this table and in the attached figures, P1 means Comb 1, P2 means Comb 2, P3 means Comb 3, P4 means Comb 4, P5 means Comb 5 and P6 means Comb 6.

Weaves Materials N PT1 PT2 PT3 PT4 PT5 PT6 PT1 PT2 PT3 PT4 PT5 PT6 1 Chain Tricot s.4 ag. Vertical Laying Monof. Monof. Monof. Meta- stitches laying in.4 ag. PPS PPS CuNi aramid in 0.18 mm 0.18 mm 0.15 mm 1350 dTex 2 Chain Laying in.4 Tricot Vertical Laying Monof. Meta- Monof. Monof. Monof. stitches ag. s.4 ag. laying in.4 ag. PPS aramid PPS CuNi CuNi in 0.18 mm 1350 0.18 mm 0.15 mm 0.15 mm dTex 3 Chain Tricot s.4 ag. Tricot Vertical Laying Monof. Meta- Monof. Monof. Monof. stitches s.4 ag. laying in.3 ag. PPS aramid PPS CuNi CuNi in 0.18 mm 1350 0.18 mm 0.15 mm 0.15 mm dTex 4 Chain Laying in.4 Tricot Vertical Laying Laying Monof. Meta- Monof. Monof. Monof. Meta- stitches ag. s.4 ag. laying in.3 ag. in.3 PPS aramid PPS CuNi CuNi aramid in ag. 0.18 mm 1350 0.18 mm 0.15 mm 0.15 mm 1350 dTex dTex 5 Chain Vertical Tricot Vertical Laying Monof. Meta- Monof. Monof. Monof. stitches alternate s.3 ag. laying in.4 ag. PPS aramid PPS CuNi CuNi laying in 2 in 0.18 mm 2500 0.18 mm 0.15 mm 0.15 mm passes dTex 6 Chain Tricot s.3 ag. Vertical Laying Multif. Monof. Monof. Meta- stitches laying in.4 ag. PPS PPS CuNi aramid in 500 0.18 mm 0.15 mm 1350 dTex dTex 7 Chain Vertical Tricot Vertical Laying Laying Multif. Meta- Monof. Multif. Monof. Meta- stitches alternate s.3 ag. laying in.3 ag. in.3 PPS aramid PPS CuNi CuNi aramid laying in 2 in ag. 500 2500 0.18 mm 2000 0.15 mm 1350 passes dTex dTex dTex dTex 8 Chain Tricot s.5 ag. Vertical Vertical Laying Monof. Monof. Monof. Monof. Meta- stitches laying laying in.5 ag. PPS PPS CuNi PTFE aramid in in 0.18 mm 0.18 mm 0.15 mm 0.25 mm 1350 dTex

Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described procedure and the sleeve are capable of numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A method for the manufacture of tubular protective sleeves, comprising the steps of: providing a warp knitted tissue made of filaments of three components using a Raschel type loom; and shaping the tissue so that the longitudinal edges of the tissue converge towards one another and overlap, thus defining a tubular shape; wherein a first component of said three components comprises monofilaments and/or multifilaments of a first polymer; wherein a third component of said three components comprises an electrically conductive material; wherein said three components are distributed throughout a thickness of the tissue such that: the first component is present throughout the thickness; a second component of said three components has a symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution throughout the thickness in respect to a median plane of the tissue; the third component extends from one side of the tissue to the interior of the tissue without reaching the opposite side; and wherein the minimum weight percentages of each of the three components is as follows: 7% for the first component; 10% for the second component; 40% for the third component.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the three components are made of different materials.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first and second components are made of the same material.
 18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second component comprises multifilaments of a second polymer.
 19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first polymer is selected among polyphenylene sulfide, polyester, polyamide, PEEK, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.
 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second polymer is selected among polyester, polyamide, pps, PEEK, Meta-aramid, Para-aramid, Viscose, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.
 21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive material is selected among copper, tinned copper, nickel copper, aluminum and stainless steel.
 22. The method according to claim 15, wherein the strips of the edges of the tissue having a longitudinal direction do not comprise the third component.
 23. A tubular protective sleeve, comprising a warp knitted tissue made of filaments of three components; wherein a first component of said three components comprises monofilaments and/or multifilaments of a first polymer; wherein a third component of said three components comprises an electrically conductive material; wherein said three components are distributed throughout a thickness of the tissue such that: the first component is present throughout the thickness; a second component of said three components has a symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution throughout the thickness in respect to a median plane of the tissue; the third component extends from one side of the tissue to the interior of the tissue without reaching the opposite side; and wherein the minimum weight percentages of each of the three components is as follows: 7% for the first component; 10% for the second component; 40% for the third component.
 24. The sleeve according to claim 23, wherein the three components are made of different materials.
 25. The sleeve according to claim 23, wherein the first and second components are made of the same material.
 26. The sleeve according to claim 23, wherein the second component comprises multifilaments of a second polymer.
 27. The sleeve according to claim 23, wherein the first polymer is selected among polyphenylene sulfide, polyester, polyamide, PEEK, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.
 28. The sleeve according to claim 26, wherein the second polymer is selected among polyester, polyamide, pps, PEEK, Meta-aramid, Para-aramid, Viscose, PTFE, ECTFE and PFA.
 29. The sleeve according to claim 23, wherein the electrically conductive material is selected among copper, tinned copper, nickel copper, aluminum and stainless steel.
 30. The sleeve according to claim 23, wherein the strips of the edges of the tissue having a longitudinal direction do not comprise the third component. 